Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Uppity Negro

I was going to write some more about this, but I think it's enough to go read the give and take over in Romenesko's letters section. Start with the letter from Roland S. Martin who is upset that Tavis Smiley is being called a "journalist" even though he has an activist role and, shock!, accepts gifts such as a car! Then, scroll up to read Bob Laurence being shocked that Smiley might actually have any money!

I'm all for having conversations about journalists and conflicts of interests, etc... But there's little reason for that conversation to begin with Smiley.

For the record, I accept free gifts, offers to appear in commercials, and obscene speaking fees.